Agartala, Aug 15 (TIWN) Incessant rain led to cancellation of Independence Day programme in Agartala.

The main programme of celebration of the 67th Independence Day was organized at the Assam Rifles parade ground in Agartala where chief minister Manik Sarkar immediately after unfurling the Tricolour declared cancellation of all programmes due to bad weather.

Right from the morning it was raining heavily that turned the parade ground into a pool of water.

In his short speech the chief minister said: “On this occation I will say that the scenario of our country is not very good. To save our unity, sovereignty, democracy and secularism we have to get united.

"Fighting with the imperialist British we got our independence but today we are noticing that the market and economy of our country has been again opened for imperialist forces. If it continues then our economy will be again controlled by them. So throughout the country people should come out and stand together against such policy which our federal government is trying to implement.”

Different paramilitary forces, state police and NCC cadets who were waiting could not participate in the parade drill. The cultural programme was also cancelled. 

However, despite the bad weather and militant threat, thousands of people defying the boycott call of the militants gathered to the parade ground in Agartala to participate in the celebration.

With call for boycott of Independence Day celebrations beginning to pour from across the gamut of North-eastern India's by at least five militant organizations, security forces and the state administrations in the seven sisters including Tripura reviewed up the security mobilization to avoid any type of untoward incident during the celebrations of Independence Day being celebrated through the country on August 15.

Para-military forces along with sniffer dogs are conducting search operations in the interior places and are checking all vehicles and passengers at different places including the national highway. Meantime, Border Security Force has intensified its vigil across the 856 km porous Indo-Bangladesh border to stop any type of trans-border movement.

A red alert has been sounded in the state and at the different vulnerable places in the urban areas security personnel have been deployed and the dog and bomb squads are conducting regular checking. Security in the national high way, bus terminus, busy market places and in the airport has been increased.

Different drop gates have been established at different points of entry to the capital, Agartala.

Police informed that adequate security measures have taken and is confident that like previous years this time also the Independence Day celebrations shall be peaceful.